Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 6, Deadlocked Discussions

Although a meeting is a vehicle for resolving differences, it
can break down when the participants become mired in a
disagreement.

Approach 1: Form a subcommittee

Ask for volunteers from the opposing viewpoints to form a
subcommittee to resolve the issue. This is a useful approach,
because: 1) The issue may require extensive research, which is
best completed outside the meeting, 2) The people who caused the
deadlock will be responsible for solving it, or 3) The effort to
resolve the issue will test its priority. That is, if no one
wants to spend time finding a solution, then perhaps the issue
(or at least the controversy) is unimportant.

Ask for a subcommittee by saying:

"There seem to be concerns about this issue. Rather than use
everyone's time in the meeting, I want a subcommittee to resolve
this and report back to us. Who wants to be on it?"

Approach 2: Ask for an analysis

If a minority obstructs resolution, ask them to analyze the
issue and propose alternatives. You can say:

"You seem to view this issue differently. Could you help us
understand your position by preparing an analysis of the issue
with workable alternatives?"

As with a subcommittee, this approach will either uncover
essential considerations or test commitment. In either case, it
moves the deadlock out of the meeting so you can proceed.

Use these techniques to hold effective meetings by putting your
work back on track.

This is the sixth of a seven part article on Managing Monsters
in Meetings.